THEORIES

Architecture is more than form—it’s an experience. This selection examines how spatial qualities, materials, light, and sound create emotional and sensory responses. From phenomenology to poetic spatial design, these books illuminate the intangible, yet powerful, aspects of architecture that shape how we feel and move through built environments.

Art and architecture are inseparable, shaping how we perceive and experience space. This collection explores their intersections—from artistic movements influencing design to materiality, perception, and representation in architecture. By engaging with art’s theoretical and visual dimensions, we uncover architecture’s deeper role as an artistic and cultural practice.

Concrete, raw, and uncompromising, Brutalism remains one of architecture’s most debated movements. This collection explores its post-war social ambitions, aesthetic boldness, and cultural significance. From monumental public housing to sculptural masterpieces, these books revisit Brutalism’s legacy, its revival, and its ability to inspire awe, controversy, and deep admiration.

Focusing on the foundational principles of modern architecture, this selection delves into the radical shifts of the early 20th century. From Bauhaus to Le Corbusier, these books examine minimalism, functionalism, and the philosophical underpinnings that shaped the modernist movement, redefining the built environment with clarity, purpose, and technological optimism.

Sustainability is no longer optional—it’s imperative. This selection examines architecture’s role in ecological responsibility, energy efficiency, and regenerative design. Covering passive strategies, biomimicry, and net-zero buildings, these books offer insight into the future of environmentally conscious architecture that harmonizes with nature rather than exploiting it.

Blending design, ecology, and urbanism, this collection explores how landscapes shape and respond to human needs. Featuring works on parks, urban green spaces, and ecological restoration, these books highlight the evolving role of landscape architects in addressing climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable urban planning with innovative, nature-driven solutions.

This collection examines how space is used to express, maintain, or contest power. From state control and surveillance to geopolitical borders and urban segregation, these works explore space as a political instrument—designed, regulated, and often weaponized to shape behavior, assert dominance, or resist authority in both subtle and overt ways.

Space is never neutral. This selection unpacks how architecture and urban design reflect and reinforce social structures, power dynamics, and cultural identities. Drawing from sociology, geography, and critical theory, these books reveal the deep connections between space and society, urging architects to rethink design as a tool for justice.

Typology offers a framework for understanding architectural form through recurring spatial patterns. This selection investigates building types—houses, museums, schools—not as static templates but as evolving responses to context, culture, and use. It invites a deeper look at how form and function intersect across time, tradition, and innovation.

Cities are living organisms, constantly evolving. This collection investigates the forces shaping urban spaces, from planning theories to the politics of public space. Covering density, mobility, and social equity, these books dissect the complexities of urban environments and propose ways to create more resilient, inclusive, and vibrant cities.

This collection highlights the transformative contributions of women in architecture, from pioneering figures to contemporary innovators. It explores gendered space, professional challenges, and groundbreaking designs, shedding light on the narratives often overshadowed in architectural history. These works celebrate diversity, equity, and the powerful role women continue to play.